The treatment of effluents and its disposal away from towns lies under the responsibility of the municipal authorities. The regulation of the sewage within the boundaries of the municipal authority is specified in the Local Authorities (sewage) Law and in the bye-laws of the authority. The government of Israel, by deciding that the national sewage system must be regulated, caused the concentration of the entire field of development of sewage infrastructures (mainly upper systems, such as collection lines and WWTPs) in the hands of a single government body. For this purpose the Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures was set up.

The Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures operates as an organic unit in the Ministry of National Infrastructures, and acts as the branch for the implementation of government policy in the field of development of sewage infrastructures in the economy. Through this administration the State of Israel invests the sum of about NIS 450 million per year in the field of sewage, both for the construction of new infrastructures and for the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing ones.

Budgets of the Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures are given to the local authorities for the purpose of the development of sewage infrastructures and treatment of effluents. Most of the budget is given in the form of long term subsidized loans, and some in the form of grants, in accordance with the decisions of the government. In order to execute these tasks the government provides special aid to the local authorities for the purpose of financing the construction of systems requiring heavy investments. The aid is given to the local authorities in the form of subsidized loans:

1. A loan for the entire amount of the project.
2. The period of repayment of the loan is 20 years.
3. Interest at a rate of 5%.

The Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures, as a branch of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, implements the policy of the government in all matters related to the regulation of the sewage system and the creation of a water source, as an alternative resource for recycling for various purposes, thus saving drinking water.

The national council for planning and building approved NOP 34 (sewage) as the national outline plan for the construction of WWTPs. The plan presents overall solutions, based on central regional facilities, that are shared by several towns through a direct interface with the water economy, in order to exploit the full potential of the effluents. NOP 34 reserves areas for the construction of WWTPs, effluent reservoirs, and effluent pipes, and specifies general directions for planning. The treatment of the effluents to achieve a high standard will permit the expansion of the supply of the effluents for various uses, including:

1. Recycling of effluents for agriculture.
2. Recycling of effluents for municipal gardens.
3. Recycling of effluents for industry and the production of electricity.

The treatment and full exploitation of the effluents will lead to the cessation of the annoyances and the maintenance of public health and the environment, as well as the creation of an essential resource for the water economy. The regulation of the subject of sewage will form an important element in lasting development, for a cleaner and less polluted environment.

As a staff function that leads on behalf of the government the development and accompaniment of the subject of sewage and the treatment of effluents, the Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures takes an integrated view of the subject, while taking into account national and systemic considerations. It consequently serves as a body coordinating the involvement of the relevant government/ public bodies, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Water Commission, green organizations, etc., who take an active and permanent part in committees of the Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures for approval of development plans submitted to it, including coordination with the Ministry of Defense and various industrial bodies, in order to maximize end solutions at the regional level.

Fields of activity of the Administration for the Development of Sewage Infrastructures

1. Formulation of policy for the treatment of effluents in Israel, derived from the overall policy of the Ministry of National Infrastructures and the water economy. Actual implementation of government decisions for providing grants to the various sectors.
2. Providing general professional directions for planners in all matters related to the engineering design of transportation and pumping systems.
3. Providing directions for the authorities and for planners in all matters related to end solutions, based on an overall regional view and in accordance with NOP 34 (sewage).
4. Supplying updated information to planners in all matters related to methods for treatment of effluents and the known technologies, in Israel and abroad.
5. Evaluation of various alternatives for the execution of projects while making a comparative examination of the economic-engineering feasibility.
6. Examination of plans, general planning, based on valid master plans. The plans are discussed in the judicial committees (inter ministerial professional committee).
7. Giving loans to local authorities, after approval by the investments committee (with the participation of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior, chaired by the Director-General of the Ministry of National Infrastructures).
8. Evaluation of the detailed plan and the tender documents of every project.
9. Professional accompaniment and overall supervision during the period of the project, from the beginning until it is handed over.
10. Providing a professional opinion and preparing position papers for functions in the ministry, as required.
11. Representation of the ministry (in the field of sewage) in inter ministerial committees and forums, in ministerial committees, and in Knesset committees.

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